Online Dental Education Library

Our team of dental specialists and staff strive to improve the overall health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with your teeth and gums. Please use our dental library to learn more about dental problems and treatments available. If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us.

NTI™ (Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition Device)

Clenching Suppression System

If you suffer from these problems, you should know about The NTI Clenching Suppression System.

What does clenching my teeth have to do with these problems?

The high intensity contractions of the muscles of the jaw can become painful. The forces generated can cause pain to surrounding tissues, joints, and other muscles. By reducing the intensity of the clenching, you can effectively minimize the source of the pain - in many cases, in just a few days.

Has this treatment been tested?

The NTI device has been used successfully with thousands of patients. It has received a marketing allowance from the FDA and complies with all requirements as an approved dental device.

What can be done to help?

In one office visit we can create a custom-made NTI oral appliance. The tiny, clear-plastic device fits over your front teeth at night and makes clenching virtually impossible. In a few days or weeks, your clenching reflex is suppressed. Morning headache pain, neck pain, sore jaw, and other related pain associated with involuntary intense clenching usually begins to resolve and disappear.

Is there a difference between the NTI and the traditional dental nightguard device or TMJ splint?

Yes. Traditional flat-plane splints and nightguard devices provide a surface for you to "bite down on." New studies show, however, that these devices can actually increase the intensity of your clenching reflex, often to over 104% of your normal bite. High-intensity clenching has recently been found to be the real cause of the problem. With the advent of the revolutionary NTI device, we can begin to solve the real problem: actually preventing your back teeth from clenching intensely and coming into contact with each other. Stop intense clenching; stop the source of the pain.

Can the NTI device really help make me feel better?

Yes. By reducing the intensity of involuntary clenching at night while you're asleep (and even during the day if stress triggers unconscious involuntary clenching at work and home), the NTI device minimizes clenching intensity and, in time, minimizes intense clenching as the source of your pain.

When can I expect relief?

Within a few hours to a few weeks. Many patients report significant relief overnight, others usually report relief within a month. Your highly trained clenching muscles have to un-learn their intense activity, and the time it takes to accomplish this varies from patient to patient.

What else can I expect?

The NTI device may eliminate the need for prescription and over-the-counter pain medications that you take for morning headache, sore neck, sore jaws, and related pain associated with involuntary clenching of the teeth. Because NTI helps reduce your clenching, it helps maximize your comfort and should minimize your need for medications. You may find that you're more productive and that you can do more throughout the day because you're pain-free and more comfortable with less tension and stress.

Does insurance cover this cost?

Usually dental insurance plans will help pay for the procedure. But all dental insurance plans are different. Check with your dental plan administrator and be sure to discuss it with the insurance administrator in our office.